Shopify said Tuesday that it will let shoppers use AI agents to browse and buy from its catalog. The change will give more agents access to over a billion listings, including items on and off Shopify storefronts.
Shoppers will be able to configure an agent to purchase products on their behalf without a partnership integration. In September, Shopify announced a partnership that lets Meta’s Muse agent browse and buy items for a person.
Customers connect agents through the Shop app
To set up the new feature, customers will connect an agent to their account on Shop, Shopify’s platform for consolidating orders, tracking packages and recommending products. They will be able to check out with one-click Shop Pay within the conversation with the agent. Orders placed through the agent will appear in the Shop app.
Shopify describes the feature as a “personal shopper.” People can give an agent rules, such as a budget limit or a requirement to show only products with fast shipping. Buyers must approve every purchase.
Major commerce companies are investing in AI shopping
AI-driven shopping is drawing investment from major commerce companies, including Google and Amazon. Their tools aim to let agents make purchases for users. The question of whether agents should be allowed to shop for customers is also at the center of an ongoing dispute involving Amazon, Perplexity and, more recently, Meta’s Muse.
Shopify says the expanded access is coming soon. Once available, shoppers can connect an agent to Shop and approve each purchase it makes on their behalf.
